Button gives way to Vandoorne in McLaren for 2017 season

Former Formula 1 champion Jenson Button will take a break from Formula 1 racing at the end of 2016 season. McLaren team announced that he will be replaced with Stoffel Vandoorne.

Team’s boss Ron Dennis said that Button will stay with McLaren to work as a reserve driver and ambassador. He also added that the former champion could return into the seat in 2018 if Fernando Alonso retires or to leave the team after his contract expires. Button had a debut in Formula 1 in 200 with Williams and won the title in 2009 driving for Brawn GP team.

Stoffel Vandoorne, current McLaren test and reserve driver will have big shoes to fill but the talented Belgian already proved that he can race at the highest level when scored points on his Formula 1 debut in in 2016 Australian Grand Prix when he acted as a substitute for injured Alonso.

Taking a sabbatical from racing is not an unusual move. Some former champions, like Mika Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher, did the same, but when they returned, their results weren’t as good.